Two Political Economy Graduates Receive Tulane 34 Award
Of the thirty-four exceptional graduates from the Class of 2026 who were honored with a Tulane 34 Award, two received their bachelor's degree in political economy from The Murphy Institute. Congratulations to Emily Eckerman and Autumn Sommers for their outstanding accomplishments across leadership, service, and academic excellence which has earned them the Tulane 34 Award.
Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, the Tulane 34 Awards are among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon graduating students across Tulane University. Named in honor of the year Tulane was founded — 1834 — the award celebrates 34 extraordinary students who exemplify Tulane values and have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate life at Tulane.
During the Tulane 34 Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life, Tulane President Michael A. Fitts commended the students for upholding the university’s core values and traditions during their time at Tulane.
“Your achievements across academics, leadership and service have distinguished you among your peers,” Fitts said. “Each of you embodies the values and traditions we can trace all the way back to our origins in 1834.”
“In keeping with Tulane’s motto, ‘Not for Oneself but for One’s Own,’ you’ve also contributed hundreds of hours of service to the Tulane and the broader community.” Fitts also reminded the graduates that they possess all the intelligence, drive and leadership skills needed to solve the challenges of tomorrow. “Recognize your extraordinary abilities and all the hard work that got you to this point and continue to hold yourself to the highest standard in all that you do,” Fitts said.
To read more about the Tulane 34 2026 award recipients, visit studentaffairs.tulane.edu/tulane-34-awards.
About the Awardees
Autumn Sommers, from Shreveport, Louisiana, graduated with a bachelor of arts in political economy and a bachelor of arts in philosophy. Autumn was editor-in-chief of the Tulane Journal of Policy and Political Economy where she led a team of 35 students to produce the peer- and faculty-reviewed academic publication. In this role, she has also organized events featuring state and federal legislators, political scientists and economists to foster dialogue on pressing issues. Autumn competed in the University of San Diego Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law Research Competition and placed first one year and second the next. She also led Tulane students as an Ethics Bowl site leader as they delivered philosophy and critical thinking workshops to New Orleans high school students. On campus, Autumn was a Civic Engagement Coalition Fellow where she organized and hosted events focusing on voter education, participation and the importance of informed democratic involvement. Following graduation, Autumn plans to work in free speech policy in Washington, D.C. to gain hands-on experience in the development, analysis and advocacy of policies that protect and promote free expression. She later plans to attend law school.
Emily Eckerman, from Saratoga, California, is graduating with a bachelor of science in management in finance and a bachelor of arts in political economy with a concentration in international perspectives and a minor in French. Emily has demonstrated strong academic achievement and global engagement while at time at Tulane. She made the Dean’s List every semester while maintaining a rigorous course load of 18 to 21 credit hours. Emily also pursued extensive international study, spending the summer of 2023 in Mérida, Mexico through the Altman Program and her entire junior year in Strasbourg and Toulouse, France. While in France, she developed fluency in French by taking courses at local universities alongside international and French students, including philosophy coursework conducted entirely in French. She was selected to serve as an investment research manager for the Burkenroad Reports after completing the course as a sophomore, contributing to three published equity research reports on small-cap public companies in the Gulf South. Emily also participated in multicultural service-learning experiences, assisting in a French immersion classroom at École Bilingue in New Orleans and working on a sustainable development project in Yaxunah, Mexico. After graduation, Emily will join Morgan Stanley in New York City as part of their investment banking shareholder activism group.
